Towards packaging sustainability

Canada

EEQ - Packaging Ecodesign

TOOLS AND PUBLICATIONS
Does packaging still have its place?
We occasionally feel as if the packaging is unnecessary, even useless. In the context of enhanced awareness regarding environmental issues, the packaging is so maligned that we almost forget it plays an essential role in health and safety issues.

Foundations of packaging ecodesign
Ecodesign is a preventative approach whose specificity is that it takes into account environmental, social and economic criteria during the design phase of a packaging item while keeping its practical use value.

By integrating sustainable development and rethinking the needs and behaviors associated with packaging, companies are joining in the circular economy model.

Carry out a packaging ecodesign process
Réalisez une démarche d’écoconception d’emballages

ÉEQ has developed turnkey project management tools specifically designed to provide support along the various phases of an eco-design project. (available in English and in French)

Reference guide for packaging ecodesign communication

This guide is your ally in communicating your eco-design efforts with accuracy and relevance. It contains, among other things, practical advice and concrete examples of messages to prioritize and some to avoid.

Ecodesign incentive bonus
The ecodesign incentive bonus pilot project aims to further the 2021 Schedule of Contributions through eco-modulation measures.

Profil’Pack Packaging Assessment Canvas
Used in a collaborative workshop, Packaging Assessment Canvas (PAC) is a one-page tool useful to collect all the needs and constraints to generate the functional book of requirements for your packaged goods ecodesign project. (PDF)

Sample specifications document
This document provides examples of criteria and technical specifications you can include in your project workbook or specifications.

Customizable scheduling template
This Excel tool will help you set up your ecodesign project schedules in no time flat. Common project tasks are already listed for convenience, so all you need to do is adapt it for your needs.

Packaging ecodesign and recyclability
For over a decade, ÉEQ’s Ecodesign and Circular Economy team—which is unique in North America— has been focused on communicating the industry’s best practices to democratize packaging ecodesign in Québec.

ÉEQ’s team aims to ensure that ecodesign and recyclability serve as levers for packaging circularity by creating communities of practice supported by a network of partners committed to sustainable initiatives. To that end, we provide companies with the tools they need at every step of the process by offering training, consulting services and resources.

OptimAction platform
This interactive platform is the first packaging optimization portal to offer optimization strategies in a sustainable development perspective. It is specifically intended for companies in all sectors who do business in Canada and manufacture, design or distribute containers and packaging or packaged products.
Based on simplified life cycle analysis, the OptimAction platform allows the calculation of the potential environmental benefits associated with improvements made to a packaging according to various indicators.

To get inspired by companies’ initiatives and to learn more on the OptimAction methodology
Pour s’inspirer des démarches réalisées par les entreprises et en apprendre d’avantage sur la méthodologie d’OptimAction

Rethink your packaging and printed matter choices (OptimEco’s kit)
Because best practices in packaging design are increasingly accessible and can generate many benefits.
Éco Entreprises Québec wants to encourage companies to take into account the environmental impact of their packaging by focusing on the potential economic and reputational value added of integrating such considerations.
OptimEco’s kit is intended for managers and decision-makers interested in applying an ecodesign approach to their containers and printed matter and in reaping its significant benefits.

Biodegradable and compostable packaging: As green as we think?
Although efforts to market products with minimal impact to the environment are laudable, biodegradable and compostable packaging are not a panacea, as the buzz surrounding them would suggest.

Together with the experts in environment and organic waste management from consulting firm SOLINOV, ÉEQ has developed a detailed report on this category of packaging, including nine recommendations to guide companies and the various sections of the recovery and recycling value chain.
Complete report, recommendations for companies and recommendations for the public have been developed and are available here.

Ecodesign, recyclability and innovation
Circular economy is what fuels ÉEQ’s strategic actions. Today, collaborators, partners and stakeholders are at the core of essential transformations needed to leave coming generations with an environment that reflects their drives and concerns. Continuously innovating and renewing the initiatives and winning conditions to equip and support companies in their process of eco-responsible packaging design therefore remains crucial. With a unifying leadership in ecodesign and circular economy, ÉEQ works to develop concrete solutions to optimize the life cycle of containers, packaging, and printed paper.

Ecodesign and Circular Economy Plan (ECEP)
In Canada, the 2019-2021 ECEP was established as the first ecodesign and circular economy action plan from a producer responsibility organization. At this stage, ÉEQ was able to rally its curbside recycling partners around the following vision: to make the ecodesign of packaging the standard, and a source of pride, for the people of Quebec.

Ecodesign, Recyclability and Circular Economy Plan (ERCEP)
In June 2022, the Board of directors of ÉEQ adopted the enhanced version of the ECEP, which included the recyclability of materials and was renamed to the or ERCEP. This new draft reflects the spirit of ÉEQ: constantly evolving. The ERCEP, as a powerful lever, can measure, improve and share the modernized curbside recycling system’s environment performance, in keeping with the circulation of targeted materials in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

The ERCEP six core pillars:

  • Ecodesign and recyclability guidelines
  • Segment-based approach for clients and types of packaging
  • Tools and services provided in ecodesign and circular economy
  • Schedule of Contributions eco-modulation measures
  • Material plans
  • Traceability system

Plastics Action Plan: roadmap summary
Plastic Action Plan (pdf)

Italy

CONAI - Consorzio nazionale imballaggi

THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE

The promotion of a new business strategy for members aims at the protection of the environment, according to current legislation, which is one of the most important tasks of CONAI. The introduction of a new idea for the “life cycle approach”, from design to recycling, becomes a “Pensare Futuro” project. This project is made up of several actions and programs as:

  • Promotion voluntary action, training and information for members on prevention programs and environmental protection;
  • Achievement of innovative and sustainable packaging solutions;
  • Promoting open tools for eco-design and design for recycling

Useful links:

EU labelling on Packaging

CONAI

Conai_EUlabellingOnPack_FINAL VERSION_ENG

Netherlands

KIDV - Netherlands institute for sustainable packaging

TOOLS AND PUBLICATIONS